Poultry farm moves one step closer to breaking ground

Shelley Hartmann looked pretty relaxed for a busy Monday morning, but she had reason. “We’re just waiting on the final title report. They’ve (GEN) got like four more parcels they need to get title to. We’re almost there,” Hartmann said

Hartmann wasn’t sure of the time frame for title possession, but she said it was imminent. She also mentioned other news making the Facebook rounds and the rumor mill: GEN posted company signs on their prospective property. “The signs went up because people were getting ticked off at the county because they thought the county was trying to sell the property again,” Hartmann said.

“We asked permission to go put the banners up so people could get the idea it’s here,” Hartmann added.

Hartmann had good news for things on the organic poultry raising as well. “We’ve got a breeder coming in today, and he’ll be around for a while looking at the property. We’ve got several different poultry breeders in the United States vying for who gets to be here and provide them with their poultry,” she said.

“It’s going to start here in the near future. They’ll probably start by shipping the chicks in. They can’t just hatch their own. That’s got its own little issues and problems. The hatcheries are interested because is the first major poultry operation of its kind,” Hartmann continued.

The architect who drew up the plans for the complex delivered them into the hands of GEN executives this week. “I’m expecting Izzy and Dominick in later this afternoon (June 23) and they’ll have the blueprints with them. From there, they get submitted to the building inspector,” Hartmann said.

“As soon as the plans are approved and escrows close, we’re good to go. Those four parcels of land in the front are the ones we’re waiting on,” Hartmann continued.

The second round of poultry class is going very well and this time around the class fields 20 students compared to last term’s 17. Hartmann said the class is having graduation some time during the first week of July.

Hartmann also said GEN hired several of the students from the first term whose unemployment insurance ran out. The students pull weeds, help with the community garden and help clean the Sixth Street School, which is planned as an eventual training center for employees.

“The company is looking forward to starting a good thing. They’re anxious to get going. People are beating on their doors wanting product,” Hartmann concluded.

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7/17/2014 most of the graduates of the GEN training showed up at the court house in support of the land parcel issue, that passed. The owners of GEN were ready to pay the bonding but ran into another issue being looked into now…